On May 13, 1985, a Philadelphia Police Department helicopter dropped a bomb onto a row home at 6221 Osage Avenue, the headquarters of the group MOVE. Eleven people lost their lives, five of them children, and inexplicably, despite heavy fire department presence, 61 houses on the block burned to the ground.

Writer Andrea Walls grew up just blocks away from the bombing and witnessed its aftermath, and now, a quarter century later, she’s telling the story of that night into morning through her poetry. Walls’ chapbook, “Ultraviolet Catastrophe” examines the events from all sides, even at times transporting the reader into the mind of the helicopter pilot that dropped the bomb. With empathy, bravery and electric twists of phrase that speak to her project as both poet and witness, Walls brings light to this crucial moment in West Philadelphia history.

“Ultraviolet Catastrophe” was the first publication of Thread Makes Blanket press, a local small press operating out of the Cedar Park area, headed up by West Philly resident, writer, and creative writing professor Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela.  Most recently, the press also released “Letter from Tombs Prison, 1917,” a collection of writings surrounding correspondence between Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman that includes writing by Julie Herrada, Marissa Johnson-Valenzuela, Emily Abendroth, Anna Martine Whitehead, Shaun Slifer and Megan Gibes, as well as a reproduction of an original letter.

Now a Camden resident, Andrea Walls remains active in the Philadelphia literary arts scene and with the Leeway Foundation.  For more information about Andrea’s work, or Thread Makes Blanket Press or to buy “Ultraviolet Catastrophe,” click here or pick one up at the Queer Literary Festival on October 14-16.

– Emma

West Philly parents, here’s a great chance for you to get rid of unwanted kids’ clothes and toys, to pick up something you need and to help a good cause. Penn Women’s Center and the Greenfield Intercultural Center are organizing a super swap tomorrow, Oct. 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greenfield Intercultural Center’s location at 3708 Chestnut Street.

Bring your baby, toddler, children’s maternity clothing, toys, books and gear (clean, gently used items, please). Boys, gender neutral and older kids’ clothing will be especially appreciated. Make a minimum $5.00 donation at the entrance to benefit the New Parents @ Penn Group and take what you want. It’s not required to bring items to swap in order to participate. All remaining items will be donated to a local women’s charity.

All items should be dropped off no later than 10 a.m. If you want to help set up, clean-up or if you have questions please contact: Sarvelia Peralta-Duran at: sarvelia.peralta [at] gmail.com

West Philly bicyclists and everyone else who cares about biking in our area are invited to make their voice heard at two public meetings/open houses organized by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. The first meeting is tomorrow, Oct. 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Recreation Center (5803 Kingsessing Ave.); the second one is Wednesday, Oct. 12., from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Penn’s Fisher Fine Arts Library (220 S. 34th Street, 4th floor).

At the meetings, there will be an opportunity to learn about the City’s plans for biking and walking in West Philly. Also, it’s a good chance to let the City know what residents think about the plan, to ask questions and share your concerns. Click on the flyer for more details.

Curio Theatre Company opens its 7th season this week with Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, which will run from October 12 to November 12. The preview shows are on Wednesday, Oct. 12 and Thursday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, an American playwright and recipient of a MacArthur fellowship, retells the myth of Orpheus from the perspective of his wife Eurydice. Ruhl created some new characters, such as Eurydice’s father, and made several changes to the original myth’s storyline. The play premiered at Madison Repertory Theatre in 2003 and off-Broadway in New York in 2007.

It’s interesting that Curio’s artistic director Paul Kuhn will be playing Eurydice’s father, and Eurydice’s role will be played by his real life daughter, Tessa Kuhn. All in all, it promises to be a delightful show from start to finish.

For more information on the show schedule and to purchase tickets ($15-$20) go to this page.

Samuel Powel Elementary (36th and Powelton) invites parents and caregivers of students entering 1st-4th grades in the 2012-2013 academic year for an Open House on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Parents and caregivers of children entering kindergarten next year are invited for Kindergarten Tea at Powel on Monday, Oct. 17, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Open houses will begin in the single story library (access to the library is from the play yard which can be accessed along 35th street or at the corner of 36th and Powelton). Please RSVP to Andrea Kitchens at akitchens480 [at] msn.com.

Henry C. Lea Elementary (47th and Locust) will be hosting Kindergarten Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Open house begins with a meet and greet with the principal, Dr. Lisa Bell-Chiles, in the library on the third floor followed by visits to Ms. Mykytiuch’s and Ms. McCloskey’s kindergarten classrooms and a school tour. For more information call: 215-471-2915. West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools will provide refreshments.

This information came from reader Ellen:

“Found petite female tortoiseshell/calico; mottled gray fur with dusty light brown. She appears to be pretty young, very healthy, and definitely not a stray. Her nose is gray and she’s got a dusty brown belly tinged with gray and a few darker gray stripes at the end of her tail. She’s very loving and meows very loudly.

She appeared on my doorstep (near 47th and Cedar) on Saturday, October 8 around 7:00 and meowed so loudly that neighbors came by to make sure my cat hadn’t escaped.”

Please contact Ellen at 814-880-0306 if you have any information about the owners of the cat.